Madeline's POV
I felt glad I had fallen asleep, but when I woke up and opened my eyes, I found myself snuggled into Hunter's chest. He is sleeping peacefully, and I can't help myself but smile.
I want to remove my legs that I curl around his waist, but I don't have the heart to do it since I love how I feel my body is pressing against him, and he looks so peaceful sleeping like this.
And I love the feeling of his arms around my body, and I realized it felt so good to be in Hunter Divenson's arms. I hope he will always sleep beside me every night.
We are sleeping, embracing each other, and I can feel Hunter stealing kisses from my mouth while pretending to sleep.
I felt disappointed when he woke up and got off the bed because I still wanted to be in his arms. But now Hunter needs to go to work.
He slowly tiptoed in, going to the door since I could tell he was afraid to wake me up. I can't stop myself from feeling so happy. I know he said he doesn't want to love me, but I will do everything possible to make him love me.
I can tell there is warmth under his coldness. And I can't wait to discover what he is hiding from me.
Could Hunter Divenson have a dark past, love experienced? That is why he doesn't want to fall in love again.
I am still lying in my bed even though I am wide awake. I enjoyed his kisses, and if he doesn't like me, why does he need to steal kisses on my mouth when he thinks I am sleeping?
If he wants me to familiarize myself with his lips and mouth, he should kiss me when he thinks I am awake. I could not sleep, so I got up and showered, and I felt so excited choosing a dress from my closet. I couldn't believe Hunter bought all these for me.
When I get dressed, I get out of my room, and I plan to roam around the garden when I find Cerila standing in front of my room.
"Good morning, Cerila! How long have you been standing here?" I asked.
"Not long, Ms. Madeline." She replied.
"Please call me Maddie or Madeline; no need for Ms.," I said and smiled at her, and I saw her smile shyly at me.
"I can't do that, Ms. Maddie, maybe when we are alone, but if Mr. Hunter's family is around, I should call you Ms.," She replied.
"Okay, that is fine with me," I said, smiling at her.
"Your husband-to-be told me not to wake you, so I waited for you to wake up; breakfast is ready. Please, come with me to the dining area." She said, and I nodded and followed her. Hunter's family was already seated at the table, and they all raised their heads when they sensed my presence. And Lily smiled at me.
"What are you doing, Madeline? Go to the kitchen now and help get the food and serve us." His mother requested, and I nodded. I could tell Cerila was following behind me, but I still heard his mother's remarks.
"How could she think she is family already? She is not married to Hunter yet, so technically, she is still an outsider, and what outsider means?" She asked.
"Maid!" Her children chorused except Lily.
"Besides, she has many part-time jobs. She can do housework, so she should work here in our estate." Charlotte said.
"How could he choose Frank's estranged daughter to be his wife? So disgusting." His father added. I can feel my tears falling, but I keep them from falling, and I go to the kitchen with a wide smile.
"Ms. Madeline, you don't need to do the chores. You are Mr. Hunter's future wife." Cerila is walking fast beside me.
"Don't worry, Cerila, it is better this way. I will have a chance to know all the staff of the Divenson mansion, and I hope you will introduce them to me, okay?" I said, smiling at her, and she nodded.
"Hello, everyone, this is Ms. Madeline, Mr. Hunter's future bride, and she wants to help," Cerila said. She introduced all the staff to me, but since there are so many of them, I can't familiarize myself with their names yet.
They all looked surprised, and they didn't want me to help, but I explained that I needed to do it to please Hunter's family, and I could feel the pity and sympathy on their faces.
"It is okay. I don't belong to a wealthy family, that is why they expect me to help, and you don't need to worry; I am used to household chores, so I hope you will let me help you, and I would like to know all of you." I said, and they gave me their sweet smiles. I bring the menus to their table, and I can see the sinister smile on Charlotte's face.
"You can eat later after we eat, Madeline." Leticia Divenson declared, and I nodded my head, saying nothing.
"I will wait for you, Madeline," Lily said, and she is smiling at me.
"You need to eat now, Lily." Her mother said.
"No, I want to eat with Maddie, and if you don't let me eat with her, I will tell Hunter you didn't let her join us to eat breakfast." I am shocked by Lily's words, and I can hear his brother hissing.
"Let her eat with her." Clark Divenson said, and Lily stood up from her chair and followed me to the kitchen. The entire staff was shocked to find the girl with me.
"Hi, everyone. I am Lily, and I am Madeline's assistant." She said as she tried to bring the green salad platter, but I begged her not to.
"Lily, if you want to eat with me, you should not help; just watch me, okay?" I said, and I felt glad she listened to me. Hunter's mother only wants me to serve all the food; she doesn't want to see anyone.
"Madeline, serve me water, please!" Charlotte shouted.
"Madeline, give me some milk.!" Parker yelled.
I give them all they want, and by the time they finish eating breakfast, I feel too tired to walk. Hunter's family members are now all gone from the dining hall except Lily.
"Sorry, Maddie, they treat you like a maid, and I hate my family for doing this to you." The child said.
"It is okay, Lily. I am only a stranger here." I replied.
"You are not a stranger, Madeline. You are going to marry my brother, and Hunter loves you." She said.
"Don't worry. I will tell Hunter all about this." She said, and my eyes widened.
"Lily, please don't. I am happy to serve your entire family, so you don't need to tell your brother about all this. I don't want your brother to hate your parents and siblings, okay?" I asked her, and she nodded.
"But if this happens again during lunch, I will not tolerate it, Maddie." She declared, and I was shocked by her words. She is young, but she talks more mature than her age.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied, and she laughed.
Lily asked me to come to her room, and I like the wall design of her room; it is so Lily, and I smiled when I saw a picture frame on her nightstand.
I can't help but pick it up. Hunter looks so adorable riding a horse with Lily. I think the picture is still new. I wanted to ask her where the photo was captured, but I felt shy. I don't know why I felt this way when she was only a child.
"How old are you, Lily?" I asked.
"I will be turning twelve this month." She replied happily.
"Wow! So, what do you like for your birthday?" I asked, and I looked at her lovely face.
"You have to surprise me, Maddie." She replied, beaming at me.
"Ohh, okay," I replied, and she is an exciting kid. I spend my whole morning inside her room, watching her draw.
"Wow! You have a talent, Lily. You can draw." I said.
"Yeah, I guess I inherited my skills from my brother, Hunter." She declared, and it surprised me.
"Really? That is amazing." I said.
"Is it true? Are you Frank's daughter?" She asked, and her question took me by surprise.
"I guess, but I don't know my father, Lily; my mom said he left us when I was three years old, so I don't have any idea about his face," I replied.
"Oh, I am sorry, Madeline. I know Frank, and I like him too." She declared, I guess my father is a good man because I can tell that even Lily is still a child; she can judge a person's character.
"It's okay, and it was a long time ago," I replied, and we were both startled when we heard a loud knocking on the door. And when I opened the door, it was Parker.
"Sweet Madeline, it is time for lunch, and our mother is looking for you and Lily; please come at once to the dining hall." He said, and I could tell his eyes lingered only on my breasts even though I was fully covered.
I wonder, what is his deal? He turned around after he looked at me and licked his lips. I felt suddenly nervous. I take Lily's hand and go to the dining room together, and the same thing happens during the morning. I serve his entire family.
"Madeline, I want you to help the laundry staff today," Leticia said, and I nodded. I can work; they give me a roof over my head, so naturally, I will help with the household chores.
Lily still joined me with lunch, and I told her I couldn't spend my afternoon time with her since I needed to help wash the laundry, and I felt glad the child didn't argue with me this time.
Hunter's mother wants to hand wash everything to keep the clothes preserved, even the linens and curtains. That is why there is a lot of laundry staff at the Divenson Mansion. I felt sore all over my body after I finished helping with the laundry staff; they said they lacked one employee today, and they felt guilty that I worked with them, but I assured them I could do it.
I felt happy that I could help them. I can feel the pain in my fingers, and I feel too tired; when I arrive at my room, the moment my body hits my bed, I fall asleep.